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Diagonal drawn filling icon
Diagonal drawn filling

This is a pulled thread stitch with open oval areas divided by crossed threads.  It consists of slightly spaced rows of single faggot stitch, worked on the diagonal and gives a more elaborate stitch than single faggot.

N.B. the word ‘drawn’ in the stitch name comes from the discrepancy between authors about the definition of pulled and drawn thread work.

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Pattern Pulled Embellishment Open Filling Pulled Thread Whitework

Diagonal drawn filling is generously sponsored by Linda Juchatz

Method

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Diagonal drawn filling method stage 1 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 1 photograph
1

Bring the needle up just inside your outline. Make a vertical stitch up over three threads.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 2 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 2 photograph
2

Count diagonally left and down over three intersections, bring the needle up and pull.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 3 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 3 photograph
3

Make a horizontal stitch three to the right, back down into the first hole.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 4 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 4 photograph
4

Count diagonally left and down over three intersections, bring the needle up and pull.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 5 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 5 photograph
5

Make a vertical stitch up over three threads, into the previous hole. Repeat to complete the first row.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 6 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 6 photograph
6

To begin the second row, count down one and right over four, bring the needle up and pull.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 7 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 7 photograph
7

Make a horizontal stitch over three threads to the left.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 8 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 8 photograph
8

Count diagonally right and up over three intersections, bring the needle up and pull.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 9 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 9 photograph
9

Make a vertical stitch down over three threads, into the previous hole of this row. Count diagonally right and up over three intersections, bring the needle up and pull.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 10 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 10 photograph
10

As you work the row notice that when you pull, you open up a hole with a cross shape inside it (it looks a bit like a window).

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 11 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 11 photograph
11

Repeat to complete the row.

Diagonal drawn filling method stage 12 illustration
Diagonal drawn filling method stage 12 photograph
12

Completed diagonal drawn filling.

Diagonal drawn filling

Structure of stitch

Pattern Pulled

Common uses

Embellishment Open Filling

Embroidery Techniques

Pulled Thread Whitework

Related Stitches

Single faggot stitch

References

  • Mrs Archibald Christie, Samplers and Stitches (1921) , p.102
  • Mary Thomas’s Dictionary of Embroidery Stitches (1934) , p.79
  • Various Authors, The Royal School of Needlework Book of Embroidery (2018) , p.325